Trilateral Summit serves as an umbrella for 60+ trilateral consultative mechanisms and a number of relevant programs that are organized with a vision to promote cooperative relations among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and the region at large. The current setting of the Trilateral Summit was established in 2008 when the Leaders began to meet outside the ASEAN+3 cooperation mechanism. The inauguration of such independent Summit had a symbolic meaning as it demonstrates political will and commitment of the three countries to push trilateral cooperation to a greater height. Until today, Trilateral Summit plays a pivotal role in creating a momentum for institutionalization of existing cooperation and inception of new projects.

The TCS provides technical support for the operation and management of the Summit, as mandated by Article 3-1-(a) of the Agreement on the Establishment of the TCS, by participating in a series of preparatory meetings, keeping track of implementation of deliverables, making the outcomes into database and facilitating new initiatives in cooperation with relevant ministries. Most importantly, the TCS promotes cooperation activities and projects to create a favorable environment that would be conducive to the revitalization of the cooperation process.